As we near the conclusion of the health care reform debate, we are reminded of what a tough issue this is. With so many different special interests embedded throughout the health care system, it’s easy to see why so many previous attempts have failed. Nevertheless, we enter the new year poised to achieve a goal we have been fighting for since AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus found a retired teacher living in a chicken coop with no health insurance and no means of affording it.

It’s important as we enter the final stage of this debate to keep the focus on what we’re trying to achieve—affordable, quality health care options for all Americans, a viable and stronger Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations, and improvement of our long-term care system.

It’s also important to remember who we’re fighting for:

• Everyone who is or may someday be caught in the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” because of high prescription drug costs;

• Everyone who has been or may be denied affordable insurance coverage because of age or a preexisting medical condition;

• Everyone who lives in fear of not being able to afford decent medical care for themselves or their family.

In short, we’re fighting for insurance reform so more families will have access to quality affordable care, so insurance companies cannot deny you affordable coverage because of a preexisting medical condition, or charge you up to 10 times what they would charge a younger person for the same coverage. We’re fighting for lower drug costs so no one will ever be forced into deciding whether to buy food or prescription drugs. And we’re fighting so no one will ever again be forced into bankruptcy because of high medical expenses.

That’s what is at stake in this health care reform debate. It’s about you and your family’s ability to obtain and afford quality medical care. Unfortunately, many opponents of reform are trying to make it about everything but that. They distract from the real issues by trying to make the debate about big government versus small government, the deficit, abortion and other ideological issues. Simply put, we can’t let these fights over ideology make us lose sight of what everyday Americans and their families need—quality health care that they can afford.

Everything we are fighting for is in the House and/or Senate bill in some form, and neither bill increases the federal deficit one thin dime. We’re fighting to make sure the reforms we need are included in the final bill that goes to the president to sign.

As the debate moves toward a conclusion, we would all do well to remember that the issue here is not ideological or theoretical; it’s practical. It’s about whether or not you and your family will be able to obtain and afford the health care you need, now and in the future. That’s what’s at stake here, no more and no less.